Personnel includes: Earl Hines (piano); Billy Eckstine (vocals, trumpet); Jimmy Mundy (arranger).
Digitally remastered by Gregg Field.
Personnel: Earl Hines (piano); Billy Eckstine (vocals, trumpet).
Recording information: 07/12/1939-01/12/1945.
Arranger: Jimmy Mundy.
Included here are most of the best recordings by Earl Hines's big band during 1939-42 along with two selections from 1945. During most of this time, Hines featured such talented sidemen as trumpeter Walter Fuller, Omer Simeon on clarinet and alto, tenorman Budd Johnson and later Franz Jackson. A young Billy Eckstine takes a few vocals (most notably his first hit "Jelly, Jelly") and Hines' piano is a major factor on many of the recordings. Highlights include "Grand Terrace Shuffle," "Piano Man," "Boogie Woogie on St. Louis Blues," "The Father Jumps" and "The Earl." ~ Scott Yanow